AI Technology Behind Online Job Portal Wins International Award; Puts Jobs Ability Canada in Forefront for Inclusive Businesses and Job Seekers
WHITBY, ON, December 7, 2022 — Jobs Ability Canada is now officially the only online job portal in Canada using international award-winning artificial intelligence (AI) technology designed for accessibility to level the playing field for job seekers who have a disability.
“We are thrilled to be taking this leading role in joining together job seekers with inclusive businesses that are intentionally recruiting talent from Canada’s disability community,” says Jeannette Campbell, CEO of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), “And celebrating with the team of people who created this technology. This is an honour for all of us.”
The AI platform, developed by Albany, NY-based Our Ability Inc., has won a Zero Project Award for 2023. Among 320 nominations worldwide, it is one of 71 winners from 38 countries.
Unlike traditional job-search portals that focus on work history and experience, the Jobs Ability platform is abilities-based. It allows job seekers to create profiles that highlight their skills and talents, using a unique chatbot named “Abi,” short for “ability.”
For business, the technology helps companies focused on intentional inclusive recruiting make direct, authentic connections with talent sources in the disability community.
ODEN partnered with Our Ability in 2021 and runs the Jobs Ability portal exclusively in Canada. The portal has operated in the U.S. since 2018. Jobs Ability Canada launched in October 2021.
ODEN nominated Our Ability Inc. and the development of Jobs Ability for the Zero Project Awards.
“Our mission at ODEN is to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability through helping businesses reach this talent pool for their labour needs,” says Campbell.
“Jobs Ability provides an opportunity to engage the business community nationwide in a new way, with cutting-edge technology, as well as highlight the skills of individuals across Canada and the U.S. who have a disability, to ensure they have a pathway to employment.”
The Jobs Ability AI technology was developed for job seekers who have a disability, by people who have a disability.
Mainstream job portals are not designed with accessibility in mind. This often leads to job seekers who have a disability abandoning the online application process, or not applying at all.
Says John Robinson, the founder and CEO of Our Ability Inc., “I’m so thankful to ODEN and their team for the collaborative work we’ve been able to accomplish these past couple of years. Their nomination, and our subsequent winning of this Zero Project Award, is such an impactful surprise and I’m grateful.”
The Vienna-based Zero Project is a research-driven initiative committed to supporting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The theme of the 2023 Zero Project Awards was, Independent Living & Political Participation, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
The Zero Project considers innovative solutions from all sectors that are designed to eliminate barriers to inclusion. Most are ICT-based.
Campbell and Robinson add that while the Zero Project 2023 Award is an honour for both their organizations, it’s the outcome of applying the AI technology — helping job seekers and inclusive businesses connect, and have successful, fulfilling, employment experiences — that’s most rewarding.
“It’s the real reason why we do what we do,” says Robinson.
Representatives of both ODEN and Our Ability Inc. will attend the Zero Project Conference 2023 (#ZeroCon23) at the UN office in Vienna, this coming February.
All Zero Project Award winners have been invited to receive their awards, and present and promote their solutions, at the conference. The global gathering will be broadcast live, February 22 to 24, 2023.
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For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:
Dean Askin, Communications Strategist, ODEN/Jobs Ability Canada
email: daskin@odenetwork.com cell: 416-818-1514
ABOUT ODEN: The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), created in 2008, is a professional body of more than 130 employment services providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. Members are from every corner of the province and support people of all disability types. Beyond Ontario, ODEN (odenetwork.com) has connections with organizations in all provinces and territories of Canada.